GRANTS AID LOCAL POLICE WITH BULLETPROOF VESTS

Federal grants will provide more than $19,000 to three local police
departments to purchase bulletproof vests for officers without them or
replace outdated ones, state officials announced Tuesday. Locally, Horry
County police can expect $12,756; Conway police, $3,721 and Andrews police
$3,000 to buy the equipment, according to a news release.

The money comes from the U.S. Justice Department's Drug Control and System
Improvement program, which gave $408,136 to the governor's office for
distribution.

"This grant will support efforts to provide better protection of our law
enforcement officers in their continued efforts to reduce violence and
drug-related crimes," Gov. Jim Hodges said.

State officials, who serve the area, also received portions of the grant.
They include: S.C. Highway Patrol will receive $47,298; state probation and
parole officers, $29,484; and State Law Enforcement Division agents, $3,375.